Slippery Rock, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Slippery Rock, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Slippery Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 205 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Slippery Rock, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (47 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 205 | Jun 2026 | Jun 12, 2015 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Jul 2025 | May 28, 2019 · $5.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Apr 2024 | May 29, 2019 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Sep 14, 2008 · $5.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2016 | Nov 13, 1997 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 1997 | Jun 19, 1996 · $10,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Slippery Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 38 miles south-southwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Slippery Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 38 mi south-southwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 108 mi east | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Slippery Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Slippery Rock, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 15 miles northwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 227 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1956.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Slippery Rock's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Slippery Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Slippery Rock, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 38 miles south-southwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Slippery Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Slippery Rock the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Slippery Rock free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Slippery Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grove City, PA radar 6 mi
- Prospect, PA radar 12 mi
- Mercer, PA radar 14 mi
- New Wilmington, PA radar 15 mi
- New Castle, PA radar 16 mi
- Butler, PA radar 17 mi
- Ellport, PA radar 18 mi
- Ellwood City, PA radar 19 mi
- Zelienople, PA radar 20 mi
- Evans City, PA radar 21 mi